An algal form of this molecule tagged with a Venus reporter has been used by the Svoboda group to map layer 2 and 3 callosal 
An algal form of this molecule tagged with a Venus reporter has been used by the Svoboda group to map layer 2 and 3 callosal projections. Stability of its active intermediate form depends on protonation of a conserved glutamine residue that forms a salt bridge with a conserved arginine residue, as well as the transfer of a proton from a Schiff base linkage with lysine to another glutamine residue. Arrestin binds its phosphorylated domain to deactivate it, and at high calcium concentrations, recoverin inhibits its kinase. Its activation of the G protein transducin allows a phosphodiesterase to hydrolyze cyclic GMP, closing sodium-calcium channels to hyperpolarize the cell. It is broken down in the pigment epithelium and reconverted to a complex including an 11-cis form in the outer segment disks. One of its subunits selects for its spectrum; the other is a chromophore made of an aldehyde of vitamin A. Converting to all-trans form when a photon hits, for 10 points, name this photopigment found in rods.
An algal form of this molecule tagged with a Venus reporter has been used by the Svoboda group to map layer 2 and 3 callosal projections.
{rhodopsin}